DESCRIPTION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a formulation based on sulpiride and a synergistic homeopathic composition that exhibits a profound antidepressant activity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention discloses an improved pharmaceutical product which is used as antidepressant, based on the formulation comprising:

(ii) a homeopathic composition consisting of the Krebs cycle involving compounds :

(a) intermediates: citric acid (D8), cis-aconitic acid (D8), a-ketoglutaric acid (D8), succinic acid (D10), fumaric acid (D8) , DL-malic acid (D8), sodium diethyloxaloacetate (D6), sodium pyruvate (D8), barium oxalosuccinate (D10);

(b) vitamins, nucleosides, and their biosynthesis intermediates: coenzym A (D8), nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD; D8) , adenosine triphosphate (ATP; D10) , ascorbic acid (D6) , thiamine hydrochloride (D6) , sodium riboflavin phosphate (D6) , pyridoxine hydrochloride (D6) , nicotinamide (D6) , cysteine (D6) , DL- ot-lipoic acid (D6) ;

(c) minerals: magnesium orotate (D6) , cerium oxalate (D8), manganese phosphate (D6) ;

(d) herbal extracts of the Small Pasque flower (Pulsatilla pratensis L.; D6) , and the Red beet (Beta vulgaris ssp. vulgaris var. conditiva, D4 ) ; and

(e) miscellaneous ingredients: sulphur (D10) , and liver of sulphur (D10) ;

all of them in equal relative amounts; and of

(iii) one or more excipients which yield in desired final dosage form: injection, tablets, capsules, oral solution, and syrup.

The homeopathic composition described under point (ii) can be considered as modified Krebs cycle solution (or homeopathic modified Krebs solution) .

The above cited formulation exhibits a profound antidepressant activity due to synergistic action of homeopathic composition of Krebs cycle-involving components and herbal extracts, providing:

(i) potent antidepressant action at dosages of sulpiride of several times lower than is usual according to conventional clinical procedures ;

(ii) absence of side-effects of sulpiride due to significantly reduced dosages; as well as

(iii) substantial anxiolitic and hypnotic activities.

PRIOR ART

Beside cardiovascular and cancer diseases, depression is one of the most important disorders that affects the modern people. The depressive disorder is a serious illness that affects energy, sleep, appetite, libido, and the ability to function (expecially major depression) , and has to be treated with various drugs usually called antidepressants. The latter involve several classes of compounds:

(i) tricyclic/polycyclic antidepressants (e.g. amitriptyline) ;

(ii) selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (e.g. fluoxetine);

( iii ) monoamine oxidase inhibitors;

(iv) lithium salts (e.g. lithium carbonate; mainly for treatment of mania) ; as well as

(v) certain atypical antipsychotics (e.g. sulpiride).

Classical therapies of depression often cause several unwanted side- effects like nausea, anxiety, insomnia, sexual dysfunction, anorexia, weight loss, and tremors [M. J. Mycek, R. A. Harvey, P. C. Champe: Pharmacology, 2 ^nd Edition (1997) Lippincott-Raven Pub., Philadelphia, USA] .

Sulpiride (1) is a well-known active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) from the class of dopamine D ₂ and D ₃ receptor antagonists with antipsychotic and antidepressant activities.

Main pharmacological use of sulpiride involves treatment of psychoses such as schizophrenia at daily dosages of 400-1.600 mg [G. Alfredsson, F. A. Wiesel : Relationships between clinical effects and monoamine metabolites and amino acids in sulpiride-treated schizophrenic patients, Psychopharmacology (Berl.) 101 (1990) 324- 331; G. Alfredsson, L. Bj erkenstedt , G. Edman, C. Harnryd, G. Oxenstierna, G. Sedvall, F. A. Wiesel: Relationships between drug concentrations in serum and CSF, clinical effects and monoaminergic variables in schizophrenic patients treated with sulpiride or chlorpromazine, Acta Psychiatr. Scand. Suppl . 311 (1984) 49-74].

The use of sulpiride as antidepressant has been a subject of controversy. However lower daily dosage (100-200 mg) of sulpiride is generally considered as second-line antidepressant therapy [O. Benkert, F. Holsboer: Effect of sulpiride in endogenous depression, Acta Psychiatr. Scand. Suppl. 311 (1984) 43-48; W. Maier, 0. Benkert: Treatment of chronic depression with sulpiride: evidence of efficacy in placebo-controlled single case studies, Psychopharmacology (Berl . ) 11 (1994) 495-501; J. L. Lestynek: [Sulpiride and depression; in French] Sem. Hop. 59 (1983) 2354- 2357] .

Due to relatively low oral bioavailability of only 25-35%, sulpiride is usually administered either in 2-3 divided oral doses, or by intravenous injection.

Table 1 shows effects of sulpiride in combinations with various APIs :

Table 1

Sulpiride Publication No. Pharmacological combined with Applicant activity

GB2456183

1. cannabinoids antipsychotic

GW PHARMA LTD, ...

CN101138562

2. sertraline antidepressant

YA FANG CHEN

CN1931153

3. venlafaxine antidepressant

CHEN YANFANG

oxybutynin and US2008207737 treatment of

4.

tolterodine ZINGER MENNI hyperhidrosis

RU2334509 treatment of

5. trazodone

GOU VPO VOENNO MED ... eczema

chlorimipramine ,

sodium valproate, CN101081272

6. antipsychotic

borneol and certain BAOSHAN ZHANG

herbal extract

treatment of penfluridol , CN1602877

7. somati zation

clonazepam XUE ZHONGJIE

disorder

KR20000029564

8. 5HT2C antagonists antipsychotic

SMITHKLINE BEECHAM PLC

KR20000023672

9. cocaine antiglaucoma

LIN TONGHO

amitriptyline , treatment of nimodipine, borneol CN1219416 negative

10.

and certain Chinese CHEN JINYAN depressive herbal extracts psychosis ethaperazin,

treatment of nimodipine, borneol CN1219415

11. chronic recessive and certain Chinese CHEN JINYAN

psychosis herbal extracts amitriptiline , treatment of borneol and certain CN1149475 negative

12.

Chinese herbal LIN ZUXIAN depressive extracts psychosis

treatment of composition of ten

CN1171264 psychoses such as

13. Chinese healing

SONG YANG manic depression herbs and penfluride

and schizophrenia

JP10175865

14. clozapine antiglaucoma

RIN TO A

US5744468

15. clozapine antiglaucoma

LIN TONG HO

AU7024596

16. clozapine antiglaucoma

TONG HO LIN

perphenazine,

trihexyphenidyl

treatment of hydrochloride and CN1149476

17. chronic retraction extracts of certain LIN ZUXIAN

psychosis

Chinese healing

herbs

treatment of maprotiline, WO9402138

18. serotonin

mianserine IVY MARY ELIZABETH

depletion illness treatment of

FR2592793 stress-linked

19. diazepam

PF MEDICAMENT digestive

disorders

increasing level synthetic ES8706441

20. of prolactine in progestagens ILE DE FRANCE

blood

increasing level synthetic CA1256802

21. of prolactine in progestagens ILE DE FRANCE

blood

domperidone ,

ergocristine CA1256379 stimulation of

22.

derivatives, 2- SANDOZ LTD hair growth mercaptoethanol

treatment of

FR2453643

23. GABA mimetic psychosis like

SYNTHELABO

schizophrenia increasing efficacy in

GB1393226

24. bromazepam treatment of

HOFFMANN LA ROCHE

psychoses like schizophrenia

Although certain homeopathic drugs have been widely employed in th treatment of depression [K. Pilkington, G. Kirkwood, H. Rampes, P Fisher, J. Richardson: Homeopathy for depression: a systemati review of the research evidence, Homeopathy 94 (2005) 153-163; J. R Davidson, R. M. Morrison, J. Shore, R. T. Davidson, G. Bedayn Homeopathic treatment of depression and anxiety, Altern. Ther . Health Med. 3 (1997) 46-49; L. Makich, R. Hussain, J. H. Humphries: Management of depression by homeopathic practitioners in Sydney, Australia, Complement Ther. Med. 15 (2007) 199-206], the modified Krebs solution, like herein-mentioned, has not been recognized as sole homeopathic therapy, but has been used in combination with other homeopathic remedies. Also, so far, it has not been recognized as component in combined homeopathic-allopathic therapy.

German based company produces and sales such homeopathic modified Krebs solution for the indication: „stimulation of blocked enzymatic systems in degenerative diseases, as well as in defective enzymatic functions", which gives a property of unspecific metabolic activator according to the opinion of the manufacturer [A. Bier: Ordinatio Antihomotoxica et Materia Medica, Heel GmbH, Baden-Baden, Germany (1991) ] .

Any report of combined use of any either allopathic or homeopathic modified Krebs solution and any atypical antipsychotic like sulpiride for treatment of depression and/or anxiety has not be found in previously cited art.

Management of depression has been solved by the present invention on a new, unexpected and effective manner as will be disclosed bellow.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Pharmacological activity of the formulation of the invention

The present invention discloses an improved pharmaceutical product which is used as antidepressant, based on the formulation consisting of:

(i) sulpiride (1) or (R, S) - (±) -5- (aminosulfonyl) -N- [ ( 1- ethylpyrrolidin-2-yl ) methyl] -2-methoxybenzamide ;

(ii) homeopathic composition comprising the Krebs cycle involving compounds :

(a) intermediates: citric acid (D8), cis-aconitic acid (D8), oc-ketoglutaric acid (D8), succinic acid (D10), fumaric acid (D8), DL-malic acid (D8), sodium diethyloxaloacetate (D6) , sodium pyruvate (D8) , barium oxalosuccinate (D10) ;

(b) vitamins, nucleosides, and their biosynthesis intermediates: coenzym A (D8), nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD; D8), adenosine triphosphate (ATP; D10) , ascorbic acid (D6) , thiamine hydrochloride (D6) , sodium riboflavin phosphate (D6) , pyridoxine hydrochloride (D6) , nicotinamide (D6) , cysteine (D6) , DL- a-lipoic acid (D6) ;

(c) minerals: magnesium orotate (D6) , cerium oxalate (D8), manganese phosphate (D6);

(d) herbal extracts of the Small Pasque flower {Pulsatilla pratensis L.; D6) , and the Red beet (Beta vulgaris ssp. vulgaris var. conditiva, D4); as well as

(e) miscellaneous ingredients: sulphur (D10), and liver of sulphur (D10) ;

all of them in equal relative amounts; and of

(iii) one or more excipients which yield in desired final dosage form: injection, tablets, capsules, oral solution, and syrup.

The letter „D" in each bracket stands for decimal dilution, whereas the following number represents the number of repeated (decimal) dilution procedures according to basic homeopathy principle [O. Weingarther: The nature of the active ingredient in ultra molecular dilutions, Homeopathy 96 (2007) 220-226] . In this manner, the remark „D6" means that corresponding solution of a given active homeopathic ingredient (drug) is obtained by dilution of starting (mother solution; according to German Book of homeopathic drugs; HAB = Homoopathische Arzneimittel Buch) solution by six (6) repeated decimal dilutions in a pre-defined diluent (usually in purified water or aqueous ethanol), e.g. 1 mL of mother solution (defined by the HAB) is diluted with 9 mL of diluent furnishing Dl; this Dl solution (1 mL) is subsequently diluted with 9 mL of diluent giving D2 solution, etc.

The pharmacological activity of the formulation according to present invention was studied as follows:

The study of antidepressant activity was conducted on sixty-seven (67) women suffering of depressive syndrome. The patients were from 44 to 80 years old. They are divided onto two groups by randomization :

(i) A control group (N = 32) received once-a-day combined (in the same syringe) dose of 20 mg of sulpiride (1; 0.4 mL) diluted with physiological solution (2.0 mL) by subcutaneous injection during three months (90 days) .

This dosage is considered as placebo since it is several times (5-7.5x) lower than a minimal known therapeutic dosage of sulpiride (100-150 mg) [W. Maier, O. Benkert: Treatment of chronic depression with sulpiride: evidence of efficacy in placebo-controlled single case studies, Psychopharmacol . (Berl.) 115 (1994) 495-501; 0. Benkert, H. Hippius : Psychiatrische Pharmakotherapie, 5 Auflage, Springer Verlag, Berlin (1992) , in German]

(ii) Experimental group (N = 35) received once-a-day the formulation from the present invention in the form of injection (2.4 mL; see Example 1) comprising 20 mg of sulpiride (1) and the homeopathic modified Krebs solution of the following composition : citric acid (D8; 20 mg) , cis-aconitic acid (D8; 20 mg) , - ketoglutaric acid (D8; 20 mg) , succinic acid (D10 20 mg) , fumaric acid (D8; 20 mg) , DL-malic acid (D8 20 mg) , sodium diethyloxaloacetate (D6; 20 mg) , sodium pyruvate (D8; 20 mg) , barium oxalosuccinate (D10; 20 mg) , coenzym A (D8; 20 mg) , nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD; D8; 20 mg) , adenosine triphosphate (ATP; D10; 20 mg) , ascorbic acid (D6; 20 mg) , thiamine hydrochloride (D6; 20 mg) , sodium riboflavin phosphate (D6; 20 mg) , pyridoxine hydrochloride (D6; 20 mg) , nicotinamide (D6; 20 mg) , cysteine (D6; 20 mg) , DL- -lipoic acid (D6; 20 mg) , sulphur (D10; 20 mg) , liver of sulphur (D10; 20 mg) , magnesium orotate (D6; 20 mg) , cerium oxalate (D8; 20 mg) , manganese phosphate (D6; 20 mg) , the Small Pasque flower extract (Pulsatilla pratensis L.; D6; 20 mg) , the Red beet extract (Beta vulgaris ssp. vulgaris var. Conditiva; D4; 20 mg) , and sodium chloride (21.4 mg; 0.89%) in purified water (to 100%; 1.88 mL) as excipients .

The duration of administering was three months (90 days; also subcutaneously ) .

The study was followed by the use of Hamilton rating scale for depression (HRSD) , also known as HAM-D or HAMD test, which is generally accepted as „golden standard" for quantification of severity of depression symptoms like: low mood, anxiety, agitation, insomnia, weight loss [M. Hamilton: A rating scale for depression, J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. 23 (1960) 56-62; J. L. Hedlung, B. W. Viewig: The Hamilton rating scale for depression: a comprehensive review, J. Oper. Psychiatr. 10 (1979) 149-165] .

Results are presented in Table 2. showing Hamilton rating scale for depression (HAMD) test results of controlled-study of the antidepressant activity of the composition from the invention in comparison to placebo. For the 17-item version of HAMD test, scores can range from 0 to 54. One interpretation suggests that scores between 0 and 6 indicate a normal person with regard to depression, scores between 7 and 17 indicate mild depression, scores between 18 and 24 indicate moderate depression, and scores over 24 indicate severe depression.

Table 2

The above results were subjected to paired T-test. The pairs were chosen to reflect changes during the Study in Control group (rows 1 and 3) and Experimental group (rows 1 and 4) . Paired T-test is usually chosen to establish the difference between groups, i.e. their mean values during the Study.

The results of the paired T-tests performed by Analyse-it® version 2.21, Analyse-it Software, are shown in Table 3:

Table 3

Paired T-test parameters Control group Experimental group

Mean difference 1.60 12.5

95% Confidence interval (95% CI) 0.9-2.2 10.9-14.2

Standard Error (SE) 0.31 0.81 t-statistic 4.97 15.47

Degrees of freedom (DF) 31 34

2-tailed "p" value <0.0001 <0.0001 Therefore, the results from the HAMD test strongly suggest that the formulation of the invention exhibits a strong antidepressant activity (see the "mean difference" - Table 3) . It is observed decreasing of the HAMD mean score for 12.5 points for the Experimental group.

The absence of such strong decreasing of the HAMD mean score in Control group leads to conclusion of strong synergistic effect between homeopathic part of the composition and the sulpiride itself on the treated patients. According to all available data from the literature, sulpiride does not show any antidepressant activity at such low dosage (i.e. 20 mg/day) . Thanks to this synergistic action of homeopathic Krebs cycle compounds, the corresponding required uptake (20 mg/day) of sulpiride through the formulation is approx. 7.5x lower than is usual dosage level of conventional antidepressant treatment with the same API (150 mg/day) [ . Maier, O. Benkert: Treatment of chronic depression with sulpiride: evidence of efficacy in placebo-controlled single case studies, Psychopharmacology (Berl.) 11 (1994) 495-501].

Beside a profound antidepressant activity, the results from the Hamilton test (HAMD) strongly suggest that the disclosed formulation also exhibits anxiolytic and hypnotic effects.

Finally the formulation of the present invention allows effective antidepressant therapy without side-effects which are common at classical dosage rates of sulpiride administration such as: sedation, constipation, and dryness of mouth [T. Tsukamoto, M. Asakura, T. Tsuneizumi, Y. Satoh, T. Shinozuka, K. Hasegawa: Therapeutic effects and side-effects in patients with major depression treated with sulpiride once a day, Prog. Neuropsychopharmacol . Biol. Psychiatry 18 (1994) 615-618].

Composition of the formulation according to the invention

The formulation of this invention is consisting of: (i) sulpiride (1) , from 0.1-25% w/w;

(ii) the homeopathic composition comprising the Krebs cycle involving compounds and herbal extracts: citric acid (D8), cis-aconitic acid (D8), a-ketoglutaric acid (D8), succinic acid (D10) , fumaric acid (D8), DL-malic acid (D8), sodium diethyloxaloacetate (D6) , sodium pyruvate (D8), barium oxalosuccinate (D10) , coenzym A (D8), nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD; D8), adenosine triphosphate (ATP; D10) , ascorbic acid (D6) , thiamine hydrochloride (D6) , sodium riboflavin phosphate (D6) , pyridoxine hydrochloride (D6) , nicotinamide (D6) , cysteine (D6) , DL-oc-lipoic acid (D6) , sulphur (D10) , liver of sulphur (D10), magnesium orotate (D6) , cerium oxalate (D8), manganese phosphate (D6) , the Small Pasque flower extract (Pulsatilla pratensis L. ; D6) , and the Red beet extract (Beta vulgaris ssp. vulgaris var . conditiva, D4);

all of them in equal relative amounts; from 10-75% w/w; and of

(iii) one or more excipients which yield in desired final dosage form: injection, tablets, capsules, oral solution, and syrup, to yield 100% w/w of said formulation.

The excipients are selected from the groups consisting of diluents, isotonic salts, emulsifiers ( solubilizers ) , thickeners, fillers, binders, disintegrants , lubricants, preservatives, antioxidants, and stabilizers.

In liquid final dosage forms such as injections, the diluent is a liquid compound selected from the group consisting of purified water, glycerol, 1 , 2-propyleneglycol , liquid polyethyleneglycols , liquid polyglycerols, aqueous sorbitol, dimethylsulfoxide, or mixtures of these substances. Beside mentioned, oral solutions can contain as diluent also 1 , 3-propyleneglycol and 1 , 3-butanediol . In liquid final dosage forms such as syrups, the diluent is selected from the group comprising purified water, glycerol, 1,2- propyleneglycol , honey, aqueous sorbitol, or mixtures of these substances .

In injections, isotonic salts that can be used in preparation of the formulation is selected from the group consisting of sodium chloride (NaCl) , potassium chloride (KC1), magnesium chloride (MgCl ₂ ) and its hydrates, calcium chloride (CaCl ₂ ) and its hydrates, or mixtures of these substances .

In liquid final dosage forms, the emulsifier (or solubilizer) is selected from the group comprising: sodium laurylsulphate, sodium lauryl ethyleneglycolsulphate , sodium lauryl diethyleneglycolsulphate , potassium laurylsulphate, potassium lauryl ethyleneglycolsulphate, potassium lauryl diethyleneglycolsulphate; sodium or potassium cocoamphodipropionate ; disodium or dipotassium cocoamphodiacetate; polyoxyethylene (10) laurylether, polyoxyethylene (23 ) laurylether, polyoxyethylene ( 10 ) stearylether ; polyoxyethylene (23) stearylether; polyoxyethylene ( 10 ) oleylether; polyoxyethylene (23) oleylether, other ethoxylates of higher fatty alcohols with H.L.B. value ≥10; polyoxyethylene ( 10 ) laurate, polyoxyethylene (23) laurate, polyoxyethylene ( 10 ) stearate, polyoxyethylene (23) stearate, polyoxyethylene ( 10 ) oleate, polyoxyethylene ( 23 ) oleate, other ethoxylates of higher fatty acids with H.L.B. value ≥10; polyglyceryl derivatives of higher fatty alcohols with H.L.B. value ≥10; polyglyceryl derivatives of higher fatty acids with H.L.B. value ≥10; polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate , polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate, other sorbitan derivatives with H.L.B. value ≥10; or mixtures of these substances.

Thickeners in the liquid final dosage forms of the formulation are selected from the group consisting of: polyacrylic acid, its copolymers, or their sodium, or potassium salts; methylcellulose ; sodium carboxymethylcellulose ; 2-hydroxyethylcellulose ; 2- hydroxypropylcellulose; starch; modified starches; polyglycerols; polyethyleneglycols ; gelatin; pectin; agar agar; carrageenans ; gum arabic; alginic acid; sodium alginate; or mixtures of these substances .

Filler is selected from the group consisting of microcrystalline cellulose, lactose monohydrate, calcium hydrogenphosphate , calcium sulfate dihydrate, calcium carbonate, colloidal silicic acid, sorbitol, inulin, starch, modified starches, dextrin, glucose, fructose, basic magnesium carbonate, calcium silicate, saccharose, or mixtures of these substances.

In solid dosage forms, binders are selected from the group comprising gelatin, lactose monohydrate, sorbitol, saccharose, xylitol, maltitol, starch, modified starches, methylcellulose , 2- hydroxyethy1cellulose, 2-hydroxypropylcellulose , 2-hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, polyethyleneglycols, polyglycerols, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinylpyrrolidone copolymers, carrageenans, maltodextrin, or mixtures of these substances .

Disintegrants in solid dosage forms are selected from the group consisting of starch, modified starches, sodium starch glycolate, methylcellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, 2- hydroxyethy1cellulose, 2-hydroxypropylcellulose, 2-hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinylpyrrolidone copolymers, or mixtures of these substances.

Lubricants in solid dosage forms are selected from the group consisting of magnesium stearate, calcium stearate, zinc stearate, stearic acid, talc, silicon dioxide, or mixtures of these substances .

Preservatives are selected from the group comprising methyl 4- hydroxybenzoate, ethyl 4-hydroxybenzoate, propyl 4-hydroxybenzoate, butyl 4-hydroxybenzoate, sorbic acid, potassium sorbate, benzoic acid, sodium benzoate, 2-phenoxyethanoi , 4-chloro-m-cresol , thymol, eugenol, or mixtures of these substances.

Antioxidants are selected from the group consisting of 2,6-di-terc- butyl-4-hydroxytoluene (BHT) , terc-butylhydroxyanisole (BHA) , tocopherol, tocopheryl acetate, ascorbic acid, or mixtures of these substances .

Stabilizers are selected from the group consisting of disodium ethylenediamine tetraacetate (Na ₂ EDTA- 2H ₂ 0) , disodium N- (2- hydroxyethyl ) ethylenediamine triacetate [Na ₂ H (HEDTA) ] , disodium diethylenetriamine pentaacetate [Na ₂ H ₃ ( DTPA) ] , disodium citrate [Na ₂ C(0H) (COOH) (CH ₂ COO) ₂ ], or mixtures of these substances.

Preparation of the formulation of the present invention

The formulation of this invention involves the final dosage forms of injections, tablets, capsules, oral solutions, and syrups. The formulation is produced by common procedures known to those skilled in the art of pharmaceutical technology [J. Swarbrick (Ed.) : Encyclopedia of Pharmaceutical Technology, 3 ^rd Ed. (2007) Informa Healthcare Inc., USA] .

Injections are produced by dissolution of homeopathic Krebs cycle components and herbal extracts in purified water, followed by addition of sulpiride (1) and sodium chloride (or other physiologically compatible inorganic salt up to isotonic level) . Thus obtained solution is subjected to sterilization by microfiltration followed by filling into glass ampoules under aseptic conditions.

Oral solutions are obtained by dissolution of sulpiride in purified water or its mixtures with ethanol, 1 , 2-propyleneglycol and similar diluents (solvents) with or without addition of pharmaceutically acceptable acids such as sulfuric, hydrochloric, phosphoric, citric, malic, fumaric, tartaric, benzenesulfonic acid, etc. The latter facilitate dissolution of sulpiride in water by forming its salts which are smoothly soluble in water and water-based mixtures. Then the homeopathic modified Krebs solution according to the invention is added, and the product is homogenized by short mixing. Finally the oral solution can be stabilized by addition of preservatives like methyl- and propyl-4-hydroxybenzoate , antioxidant (e.g. BHT) , and stabilizer (e.g. Na ₂ EDTA) .

Syrup is produced by homogenization of sulpiride and homeopathic modified Krebs solution according to the invention in viscous aqueous solution of saccharose, honey, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or their mixtures. In the case of the use of artificial sweeteners, intermediate solution is thickened by addition of edible thickeners like gelatin, pectin, starch, modified starches, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, or mixtures of these substances. Sweetener is selected from the group consisting of sodium saccharin, acesulfame potassium, sucralose, sodium or calcium cyclamate, xylitol, sorbitol, glycyrrhizin, extract of Liquorice root, or mixtures of these substances.

For production of solid dosage forms, tablets and capsules, a liquid homeopathic part of the formulation is converted into a powder by adsorption onto an inert inorganic carrier. The latter can be a filler or a mixture of filler and binder as defined above, e.g. microcrystalline cellulose, and/or lactose monohydrate. This operation is performed in a vacuum evaporator (at laboratory scale) , or in a spray-drier (at industrial scale) .

Thus produced powderous homeopathic part of the formulation (adsorbed on the filler) is homogenized with sulpiride, and subjected to either:

(i) direct compression yielding tablets; or

(ii) wet granulation, followed by compression of thus obtained granulate . Capsules are produced by filling of gelatin or vegetable capsules either with a homogeneous mixture of powderous homeopathic part of the formulation with sulpiride, or with afore-mentioned granulate (produced by wet granulation technique) .

There exist a number of other techniques that can be applied in the production of the final dosage forms of the formulation, but such alternatives would remain within the scope of this invention.

EXAMPLES

General remarks

Explanation of ingredients of homeopathic modified Krebs solution:

(i) citric acid, cis-aconitic acid, a-ketoglutaric acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, malic acid are well-known intermediates in metabolic Krebs (or citric acid) cycle which are chemically stable as free acids, whereas sodium diethyloxaloacetate , barium oxalosuccinate, and sodium pyruvate were used as chemically stable forms (salts) of corresponding: pyruvic, oxaloacetic, and oxalosuccinic acids;

(ii) vitamins (usually co-enzymes), enzymes precursors, and Krebs cycle-involving nucleic bases employed: coenzym A, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) , adenosine triphosphate (ATP) , ascorbic acid, nicotinamide, cysteine, DL- a-lipoic acid, whereas thiamine and pyridoxine were used as commercially available hydrochloride salts, and riboflavin as sodium phosphate salt of good water solubility;

( iii ) minerals : magnesium orotate [magnesium bis (2 , 6-dioxo-3tf- pyrimidine-4-carboxylate) ; CAS No. [27067-77-2]; Ci ₀ H ₆ MgN ₄ O _s M _r = 334.48] ,

cerium(III) oxalate [Ce ₂ (C ₂ 0 ₄ ) ₃ ; CAS No. [139-42-4]; _r =

544.29], manganese (III) phosphate [Μη ₃ (Ρ0 ₄ ) ₂ ; M _r = 354.76];

(iv) herbal extracts: Small Pasque flower extract (Pulsatilla pratensis L.) _t Red beet extract (Beta vulgaris ssp. vulgaris var. Conditiva) ; and

(v) miscellaneous homeopathic ingredients: sulphur (pharmaceutical- grade precipitated sulphur) , and the liver of sulphur [„sulfurated potash"; in homeopthy known as „hepar sulfuris"; chiefly a mixture of potassium sulfide (K ₂ S) , potassium polysulfides (K ₂ S _X ; x= 2-6) , potassium thiosulfate (K ₂ S ₂ 0 _¾ ) , and potassium sulfate (K ₂ S0 ) ; liver of sulfur is a commercially available product with wide technical and certain medicinal use - it is produced by heating of potassium carbonate (K ₂ C0 ₃ ) with excess of sulfur (S) in absence of air at 250 °C] .

Example 1

Preparation of ^" the formulation of the present invention in the form of injection

Composition (1000 mL of injection solution) : (a) sulpiride (1; 8.33 g; 0.83% w/w) , (b) homeopathic modified Krebs solution (216.67 g; 21.67% w/w), (c) sodium chloride (8.90 g; 0.89% w/w), (d) purified water (766.10 g; 76.61% w/w).

Procedure: Ingredient (b) was added into (d) , and homogenized by stirring at room temperature (20-23 °C) for 5 minutes. Then (c) and (a) were added, and dissolved by mixing at room temperature during 15 minutes. Clear solution was subjected to microfiltration, followed by filling into transparent glass ampoules per 2.40 g (2.4 mL) under aseptic conditions. These ampoules were employed during performing the study of antidepressant activity of the formulation of the invention. Each ampoule (2.4 mL) of thus prepared oral solution contains: 20 mg of sulpiride (1) and 260 mg of homeopathic modified Krebs solution (20 mg of each of its 26 components) .

Preparation of homeopathic modified Krebs solution (1000 g-scale) :

Composition (1000 g-scale) : (a) citric acid (D8; 38.46 g; 3.85% w/w) , (b) cis-aconitic acid (D8; 38.46 g; 3.85% w/w) , (c) oc- ketoglutaric acid (D8; 38.46 g; 3.85% w/w), (d) succinic acid (D10; 38.46 g; 3.85% w/w), (e) fumaric acid (D8; 38.46 g; 3.85% w/w), (f) DL-malic acid (D8; 38.46 g; 3.85% w/w), (g) sodium diethyloxaloacetate (D6; 38.46 g; 3.85% w/w), (h) sodium pyruvate (D8; 38.46 g 3.85% w/w), (i) barium oxalosuccinate (D10; 38.46 g; 3.85% w/w), (j) coenzym A (D8; 38.46 g; 3.85% w/w), (k) nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD; D8 ; 38.46 g; 3.85% w/w), (1) adenosine triphosphate (ATP; D10; 38.46 g; 3.85% w/w), (m) ascorbic acid (D6; 38.46 g; 3.85% w/w), (n) thiamine hydrochloride (D6; 38.46 g; 3.85% w/w), (o) sodium riboflavin phosphate (D6; 38.46 g; 3.85% w/w), (p) pyridoxine hydrochloride (D6; 38.46 g; 3.85% w/w), (q) nicotinamide (D6; 38.46 g; 3.85% w/w), (r) cysteine (D6; 38.46 g; 3.85% w/w), (s) DL-a-lipoic acid (D6; 38.46 g; 3.85% w/w), (t) sulphur (D10; 38.46 g; 3.85% w/w), (u) liver of sulphur (D10; 38.46 g; 3.85% w/w), (v) magnesium orotate (D6; 38.46 g; 3.85% w/w), (w) cerium oxalicum (D8; 38.46 g; 3.85% w/w), (x) manganese phosphate (D6; 38.46 g; 3.85% w/w), (y) Small Pasque flower extract {Pulsatilla pratensis L.; D6; 38.46 g; 3.85% w/w), (z) Red beet extract {Beta vulgaris ssp. vulgaris var. Conditiva; D4; 38.46 g; 3.85% w/w).

Corresponding homeopathic solutions of the components were prepared from mother solutions as described in German Book of Homeopathic drugs (HAB) . Procedure: Ingredients (a)-(z), each of 38.46 g were homogenized by stirring at room temperature for 15 minutes, filtered through microfilter, and filled into sterilized dark-glass bottle.

Example 2

Preparation of the formulation of the present invention in the form of oral solution

Composition (1000 g of oral solution) : (a) sulpiride (1; 20.00 g; 2% w/w) , (b) homeopathic modified Krebs solution (260.00 g; 26% w/w) , (c) ethanol (300.00 g; 30% w/w), (d) purified water (420.00 g; 42% w/w) .

Procedure: Ingredient (a) was added into previously prepared mixture of (c) and (d) , and dissolved by stirring room temperature (20-23 °C) for 15 minutes. Then (b) was added, and homogenized by mixing at room temperature during 15 minutes. Clear colourless solution was subjected to microfiltration, followed by filling into a 100-mL dark glass bottles.

Homeopathic modified Krebs solution (ingredient b) was prepared according to the procedure described in Example 1.

Each mL of thus prepared oral solution contains: 20 mg of sulpiride (1) and 260 mg of homeopathic modified Krebs solution (10 mg of each of its 26 components) .

Example 3

Preparation of the formulation of the present invention in the form of syrup

Composition (1000 g of syrup) : (a) sulpiride (1; 4.00 g; 0.4% w/w), (b) homeopathic modified Krebs solution (104.00 g; 10.4% w/w), (c) saccharose (600.00 g; 60% w/w), (d) methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate (2.00 g; 0.2% w/w) , (e) propyl 4-hydroxybenzoate (1.00 g; 0.1% w/w) , (f) ethanol (96%; 10.00 g; 1% w/w) , (g) BHT (0.01 g; 0.001% w/w), (h) Na ₂ EDTA (0.1 g; 0.01% w/w), (i) purified water (278.89 g; 27.9% w/w) .

Procedure: Ingredients (a), (g) and (h) were added into previously prepared mixture of (b) and (i), and dissolved by stirring room temperature (20-23°C) for 15 minutes. Then (c) was added, and dissolved by stirring at room temperature for 1 h. Preservatives (d) and (e) were dissolved in (f) by stirring for 5 minutes, and thus obtained clear solution was added to the rest of the syrup. The product was obtained in the form of colourless viscous liquid.

The syrup was filtered and filled into a 100-mL dark glass bottles. Homeopathic modified Krebs solution (ingredient b) was prepared according to the procedure described in Example 1.

Each 5 mL-dosing spoon of thus prepared syrup contains: 20 mg of sulpiride (1) and 520 mg of homeopathic modified Krebs solution (20 mg of each of its 26 components) .

Example 4

Preparation of the formulation of the present invention in the form of tablets

Composition (1000 g of tablet mixture) : (a) Microcrystalline cellulose (600.00 g; 60% w/w) , (b) lactose monohydrate (305.89 g; 30.6% w/w), (c) sodium starch glycolate (25.00 g; 2.5% w/w), (d) polyvinylpyrrolidone (20.00 g; 2% w/w), (e) sulpiride (1; 40.00 g; 4% w/w), (f) homeopathic modified Krebs solution (300.00 g; corresponds to 150 mg per each 500 mg-tablet) , (g) BHT (0.01 g; 0.001% w/w), (h) Na ₂ EDTA (0.1 g; 0.01% w/w), (i) magnesium stearate (9.00 g; 0.9% w/w) . Procedure: Ingredients (a), (g) and (h) were added into (f), and resulting thick paste was evaporated to dryness in a vacuum evaporator under deep vacuum at 40-45 °C . Thus obtained fine white off powder (600 g) was mixed with (b) , (c) , (d) , and (e) , and homogenized by mixing at room temperature (20-25 °C) for 30 minutes. Then (i) was added, and homogenization was continued for 15 minutes. Thus obtained homogeneous mixture was milled, and compressed into tablets yielding 2000 tablets (per 500 mg) ; Average tablet weight 494 mg.

Each tablet contains: 20 mg of sulpiride (1) and 150 mg of homeopathic modified Krebs solution (5.8 mg of each of its 26 components ) .

Example 5

Preparation of the formulation of the present invention in the form of capsules

Composition (1000 g of mixture for capsules) : (a) Microcrystalline cellulose (945.50 g; 94.55% w/w) , (b) sulpiride (1; 44.50 g; 4.45% w/w) , (c) homeopathic modified Krebs solution (577.50 g; corresponds to 260 mg per each 450 mg net-weight capsule content) , (d) magnesium stearate (10.00 g; 1% w/w) .

Procedure: Ingredient (a) was added into (c) , and resulting thick paste was evaporated to dryness in a vacuum evaporator under deep vacuum at 40-45 °C. Thus obtained fine white off powder (946 g) was mixed with (b) and (d) , and homogenized by mixing at room temperature (20-25 °C) for 30 minutes. Thus obtained homogeneous mixture was filled into transparent hard gelatine capsules of size "0" (Lukaps; Ludbreg, Croatia) , by using laboratory capsule filling machine. Yield approx. 2220 capsules with gross weight of 550 mg, and net weight of 450 mg . Each capsule contains: 20 mg of sulpiride (1) and 260 mg of homeopathic modified Krebs solution (10 mg of each of its 26 components ) .

Example 6

Study of antidepressant activity of the formulation of this invention in the form of injection

The study of antidepressant activity was conducted with the formulation of the present invention in the form of injection whose preparation was described in Example 1.

The study was performed on sixty-seven (67) women (44-80 years old) suffering from depressive syndrome. They are divided onto two groups by randomization:

(i) a control group (N = 32) received once-a-day dose of 20 mg of sulpiride (1) diluted with physiological solution (2.4 mL) by subcutaneous injection during three months (90 days); whereas

(ii) experimental group (N = 35) received once-a-day one ampule (2.4 mL) of the formulation from Example 1 containing 20 mg sulpiride (1) and 520 mg of homeopathic modified Krebs solution, by subcutaneous injection during three months (90 days) ;

The study was followed by the use of Hamilton rating scale for depression (HAMD test) . Results are given in Table 2.

Conclusion

The results obtained in the study represent a clear evidence that the homeopathic modified Krebs solution does enhance antidepressant activity of sulpiride (1) . Literature data show that sulpiride exhibits similar range of efficacy at dosages of at least 150 mg/day. In contrast, our results prove that this dosage can be decreased to only 20 mg/day with preserved high antidepressant activity.

Moreover, beside a profound antidepressant activity, the results from the Hamilton test (HAMD) strongly suggest that the disclosed formulation also has anxiolytic and hypnotic action.

Additionally, drastically reduced (approx. 7x) total dosage (intake) of sulpiride provides a therapy with total absence of unwanted side- effects .